Tag Archives: religion

Doing a pilgrimage is one of the most emblematic traditions of Costa Rican Catholics and an established cultural manifestation in our country. This takes place on August 2 and it is estimated that about two million people from different parts of our national territory travel on foot, bicycle, or others means of transportation toward the Church of Cartago, the home of the Virgin of Los Ángeles.

According to the legend, on August 2, 1635, a humble young girl named Juana Pereira left her house in search of firewood for cooking. Suddenly, she came upon a small doll made of stone that was carrying a baby in its arms and lying over a stream of water. The girl, happy to have found it, picked it up and brought it to her house.

The next day she found the same little doll in the same place, and the one that she had in her house was no longer there. That happened on so many occasions that, startled, she decided to turn it into the parish priest. The priest witnessed the same phenomenon of the doll disappearing and then appearing again on the stream of water.

They drew the conclusion that it was a sign from God that this was the place that a church should be built in honor of the Virgen of Los Angeles.

On September 24, 1824, by a decree from the highest authorities of the country, the Virgin of Los Ángeles was declared the patroness of Costa Rica, and August 2 nd is now one of the most celebrated dates nationwide. It is an event of faith that moves masses of parishioners with hearts full of faith and love, be it to request a miracle from the loving mother, give thanks for prayers answered, or just to visit her on her day.